Destin, Florida Fishing Report

 

July 17

 

Destin is in a great summer fishing pattern right now. The Gulf is warm, baitfish are everywhere, and there’s no shortage of opportunities whether you’re fishing from the beach, in the East Pass, Choctawhatchee Bay, or heading offshore. The best fishing continues to be from daylight until about 9 a.m., then again during the last couple of hours before sunset. Once the heat sets in, most fish become less active or move into deeper water. 

 

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Surf Fishing

 

Destin’s white sand beaches are producing a variety of fish this time of year. Don’t make the mistake of casting as far as possible every time. Many fish cruise the first trough just off the beach, especially during the early morning hours.

 

What You Can Expect to Catch

 

• Whiting

• Pompano (a few are still being caught, but the spring run has mostly ended)

• Spanish mackerel

• Ladyfish

• Bluefish

• Redfish

• Black drum

• Jack crevalle

• Tarpon cruising the beaches

• Sharks after dark

 

Artificial Lures

 

• Paddle tail swimbaits

• Metal casting spoons

• Bucktail jigs

• Jerkbaits

• Topwater walking baits

• Vertical jigs for deeper cuts

 

Surf Fishing Tips

 

• Look for deeper cuts, sandbars, and darker water before making your first cast.

• Fish the first and second troughs instead of trying to cast to the horizon.

• Retrieve spoons and swimbaits quickly when Spanish mackerel are around.

• Watch for birds diving or baitfish jumping. That’s usually where the action starts.

• Early mornings with calm surf consistently produce the best fishing this time of year.

 

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East Pass & Choctawhatchee Bay

 

The East Pass continues to be one of the best places to fish around Destin during the summer. Moving tides bring bait through the pass, attracting predators throughout the day. Inside the bay, grass flats, docks, bridges, and channel edges are all holding fish.

 

What You Can Expect to Catch

 

• Redfish

• Speckled trout

• Flounder

• Jack crevalle

• Ladyfish

• Mangrove snapper

• Spanish mackerel around the pass

• Tarpon around the jetties and pass

 

Artificial Lures

 

• Soft plastic paddle tails

• Shrimp-style soft plastics

• Jerkbaits

• Bucktail jigs

• Topwater walking baits

• Suspending twitch baits

 

Bay Fishing Tips

 

• Fish moving water whenever possible. Incoming and outgoing tides both improve the bite.

• Work docks, bridge pilings, and grass edges during the middle of the day.

• Around the jetties, let your lure sink before starting your retrieve. Many fish are holding deeper than you think.

• Early mornings with topwater baits can produce explosive strikes from trout and redfish.

 

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Offshore Fishing

 

Offshore fishing remains excellent in July. The reefs and wrecks are producing steady action, while blue water anglers are finding plenty of pelagic species farther offshore. If you’re making a run offshore, keep an eye out for weed lines, floating debris, and birds working over schools of bait. Those areas often hold some of the best fish.

 

What You Can Expect to Catch

 

• Red snapper

• Vermilion snapper

• Amberjack

• King mackerel

• Mahi-mahi

• Scamp grouper

• Red grouper

• Blackfin tuna

• Wahoo farther offshore

• Triggerfish when seasons allow

 

Artificial Lures

 

• Vertical jigs

• Butterfly jigs

• Bucktail jigs

• Paddle tail swimbaits

• Deep-diving plugs

• Trolling plugs

• Skirted trolling lures

 

Offshore Fishing Tips

 

• Find bait before you start fishing. The predators won’t be far away.

• Vertical jigs are a great option when fish are showing on your electronics but won’t commit.

• Troll while running between bottom spots. King mackerel and mahi often show up when you least expect them.

• If you find a weed line or floating debris, don’t make just one pass. Work the area thoroughly because multiple species often stack up around it.

• Keep an eye on birds offshore. They’re one of the quickest ways to locate feeding fish.

 

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Overall Outlook

 

Destin is offering excellent fishing opportunities this July. The beaches are producing Spanish mackerel, whiting, redfish, and the occasional tarpon. The East Pass and Choctawhatchee Bay continue to provide steady action for trout, redfish, flounder, and mangrove snapper, while offshore anglers are finding everything from snapper and grouper to king mackerel, mahi, and amberjack.

 

The pattern is simple this time of year. Start early, stay around bait, pay attention to the tide, and don’t be afraid to move if you’re not seeing signs of life. Those making adjustments throughout the day are putting the most fish in the boat.